Washington, Hawke team up in good cop/bad cop thriller 'Training Day'
By Ernie Hatfield
Old Gold and Black Reviewer

Topping the box office in its first weekend of release, Training Day, starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, delves deeply into the underworld of narcotics on the mean streets of L.A. Chocked full of wicked gunplay, twisted plot developments and stellar acting, it is one of the best cop films to hit the theaters in recent years.

Washington and Hawke star as Alonzo and Jake, two undercover narcotics agents. Alonzo, a seasoned though erratic veteran, is training Jake, an ethical but efficient rookie. Their on-screen chemistry is superb, as each takes on his respective roles as true Hollywood veterans.

Alonzo, the intense and manipulative veteran, challenges the traditional ethics of Jake, who struggles with his own sense of honor and duty, trying to meet his trainer’s harsh street-smart standards. The progress of this tumultuous relationship is gripping in and of itself, but even more so considering the dangerous gangland world that serves as its backdrop.

Director Antoine Fuqua (The Replacement Killers, Bait) creates a gritty, unsettling landscape of the perilous L.A. drug scene. Subtle imagery of violence, gang activity and dealing are present in the background of many scenes, portraying how far the two officers have ventured into that world. Also, writer David Ayer (who co-wrote screenplays for U-571 and The Fast and the Furious) creates a realistic dialogue using brutal street slang and violent interactions between characters.

The cameos of rap legends Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre further perpetuate the rough world of the street. Though their reputations alone would have won them each a role in the film, their acting is good, despite the small roles; Snoop as a crippled crack dealer and Dre as a crooked cop. Also, singer Macy Gray has a small role as a woman victimized by the selfish interests of Alonzo.

Washington’s acting is wonderful as it becomes more and more apparent that Alonzo is using his position of authority, as well as the unassuming Jake, to underhandedly steal money from various dealers in order to pay off a Vegas debt. Through the crisp dialogue and Washington’s commanding voice and expression, the sinister, unmerciful and callous Alonzo comes to life, the script revealing spine-tingling plot twists aplenty.

As Jake comes to realize Washington’s scheme, Hawke’s underrated acting begins to shine through. Emotionally drained from a day of self-questioning and brutal encounters, Jake decides, despite likely negative repercussions, to pay Alonzo back for his betrayal of his position as a police officer. The depth of his personal vendetta is realized by Hawke as he seems to empathize with Jake’s feelings of betrayal, revenge and numbness.

A vicious series of scenes involving razor-sharp gunplay and intensely brutal fistfights leads to a thrilling, chilling conclusion. Though including a few light-hearted scenes, mostly involving Alonzo chastising Jake for his inexperience, Training Day oozes an unsettling vibe, one perhaps realistic for a narcotics officer on the mean streets. Washington’s ominous performance and the brutal language and scenery also provide the necessary backdrop for this exciting and worthwhile thriller.